Western Australian Government backs urban forest initiative in the Swan Canning Riverpark

The Western Australian Government has announced that more than $1 million will be shared between four local governments for new riverside conservation projects with the Swan Canning Riverpark.

The Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest program is a $3 million initiative that has already funded restoration works of the Swan and Canning Rivers within the City of Gosnells and City of Bayswater.

As part of the latest funding round, City of South Perth will receive more than $600,000 to create the Hurlingham Living Stream. The project will improve water quality entering the Swan Canning Estuary and enhance the Riverpark's amenity.

Funding will also go to projects in City of Melville, City of Bayswater, and Town of Bassendean.

The Swan Canning Riverpark Urban Forest program is part of the Western Australian Government's Kep Katitjin Gabi Kaadadjan Waterwise Perth Action Plan 2, which aims to establish Perth and Peel as leading waterwise communities by 2030.

Led by the Western Australian Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, to date the program has funded 14 projects worth a total of $2.3 million.

Commenting on the program, Western Australian Environment Minister, Reece Whitby stated “the (Western Australian) Government is investing in the outstanding work of public land managers who are delivering urban forest restoration projects within the Swan Canning Riverpark.

"These areas are important for biodiversity and community health and are highly valued for recreation.

"The 14 urban forest projects that we've funded to date will deliver 38 hectares of weed control, 22 hectares of revegetation and the planting of more than 400,000 native plants."

Click here for more information.

Images: The Swan Canning Riverpark (top, credit: TourismWA) and part of the urban forest (below, credit: WA Parks Foundation).